EPA Halts Grant Programs, Tells Employees to Remain Silent

Sources within the agency say it has been instructed to freeze all grants.

Jan 25, 2017

Sources within the EPA have said the agency has frozen its grant programs, according to multiple reports. The staff has been instructed by the new Trump administration to freeze all grants and not discuss it with anyone outside the agency via reports or social media. The president also signed executive orders Jan. 24 supporting continued construction of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines, if new negotiations are satisfactory.

It is unknown whether the freeze is indefinite or temporary as transitions to the Trump administration are happening. Scott Pruitt, President Trump's pick for EPA administrator, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate.

Other agencies, such as the USDA, are reporting similar instructions. The Trump office has yet to respond to these reports.

Get the latest on trends you can expect to hear more about in 2019, including continued growth of mobile safety applications, wearable technology, and smart PPE; autonomous vehicles; pending OSHA recordkeeping rulemaking; and increased adoption of international safety standard, ISO 45001.

When it comes to safety training, no matter the industry, there are always questions regarding requirements and certifications. We’ve put together a guide on key safety training topics, requirements for certifications, and answers to common training questions.

Record and manage your organization’s inspection data with IndustrySafe’s Inspections module. IndustrySafe’s pre-built forms and checklists may be used as is, or can be customized to better suit the needs of your organization.